Georgia’s teenaged scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze will become the Rugby World Cup’s youngest competitor when he plays at halfback against Tonga in Gloucester on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time).
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Lobzhanidze, who will not turn 19 until mid-October, is set to beat the record currently held by Thretton Palamo.
In 2011, Georgia tested Scotland in a 15-6 loss in their first outing, and Mamukashvili – a hooker approaching his first World Cup campaign – believes how they start in England will be a barometer for their tournament.
15-Merab Kvirikashvili, 14-Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13- Davit Kacharava, 12-Merab Sharikadze, 11-Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10-Lasha Malaguradze, 9-Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8-Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), 7-Viktor Kolelishvili, 6-Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5-Konstantine Mikautadze, 4-Giorgi Nemsadze, 3-Davit Zirakashvili, 2-Jaba Bregvadze, 1-Mikheil Nariashvili.
Lobzhanidze was still at school for the last World Cup in New Zealand.
“Playing them last year, we got the upper hand but, coming to the World Cup, we have to prepare to attack them up front and execute how we want to play the game by taking forward our strengths as well”, said Tonga coach Mana ‘Otai.
Viliami Ma’afu will start at number eight, Sione Kalamafoni moves to blindside flanker and Steve Mafi switches into the second-row.
The giants of Pool C are New Zealand who are expected to make light work of every team in the group, and are overwhelming favorites to retain their crown as world champions, something that has never been done since the Rugby World Cup’s inception in 1987.
“It is a dream come true, it’s a fantastic feeling”. I was very young, so I almost don’t remember the last World Cup! We’ve 12 grades of school in Georgia & I used to be within the 10th grade.
“He’s in the squad because he is one of the top three scrum-halves in Georgia and he’s our No. 1 number nine”, Haig said.
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“Although he’s only 18 he plays and makes decisions like a 25 or 26-year-old, and he makes good decisions under pressure”, he said.
